It’s safe to say Ice Cream Man is one of the most innovative comics of the past decade. From clever plays on time to exploring what true horror is, every issue offers something new for new and longtime readers. That trend continues with Ice Cream Man #43, out January 29th, as it features an entire issue of one-page stories. Having an advance copy in hand, I have to say it continues the trend of exciting, surprising, and making comics truly unique from any other medium.
It helps add to the series’ allure that each story is crafted by some of comics’ most illustrious creators, including Grant Morrison, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Matt Fraction, Jeff Lemire, Patton Oswalt, Geoff Johns, Zoe Thorogood, and more. Speaking as someone with over 5,000 comic book reviews, this issue is another home run.
All told, Ice Cream Man #43 has 22 tales, all one page long. W. Maxwell Prince writes eleven of them, with Morrison writing two and the remaining creators writing one each. Backing most of them up on art are Martin Morazzo and Chris O’Halloran, with Zoe Thorogood drawing her one-pager and Ashley Walker drawing one tale.
The variety of tales is quite breathtaking. It starts with a strange tale about a man plagued by a man in a white suit and a tiny piano, always playing. In the second tale, also written by Prince, he and Morazzo stretch the page with a story about a boy falling and nightmares floating around him. Stories also contain the self-titled Ice Cream Man, plays on the board game Candy Land, cooking shows (by Geoff Johns), and fourth-wall-breaking fun.
Variant cover for the issue by Maria Llovet.
Credit: Image
The innovative element is evident in other tales that don’t have art, like a prose story about baby shoes or a chart of old-timey diseases. You don’t know what you’ll get as you turn the page.
Morrison’s stories are pretty different, with one about Hell that’ll make your skin crawl. This tale wraps up the collection and is a good example of how some one-pagers are so simple they’re over before you know it. That said, Morrison’s other tale connects well with the series focusing on Hell. It’s unnerving, as if it came out of Dante’s Inferno.
My favorite story in the collection is by Deniz Camp and Morazzo. It has no words but perfectly captures the worst thing that could happen to a comics reader. Frank Barbiere’s “The Clock Never Stops” is a close second, with a clever take on obsession and time.
Zoe Thorogood’s one-page story is about her brother’s suicide, and it’s truly harrowing. She uses actual images of him in one panel, further making this a personal piece that helps you connect with the story. If you’re an empathetic person, this story will hit you deeply. Of all the tales in this collection, which frankly are fantastical for fun, this tale captures a different kind of pain and horror that’s deeply real.
Ice Cream Man #43 is a masterclass in experimental storytelling, proving that comics remain one of the most versatile artistic mediums. With its stellar lineup of creators, breathtaking variety, and emotional resonance, this issue is a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike. However, its brevity occasionally leaves certain tales wanting more.
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